WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

>>The world-famous Irish Rovers play at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Wednesday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m.

This week's theatre

Anything Goes - Cole Porter's hit musical "Anything Goes" is on stage at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre through April 5. The fun-filled trip aboard the SS American is packed with Porter classics, lively tap dancing and a boatload of laughs. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Ticket prices range from $25 to $52. Group discounts are available for parties of 20 or more. Tickets can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

 

Humble Boy - "Humble Boy," a dramatic comedy by British playwright Charlotte Jones, runs from Wednesday, March 26 at the Sugden Community Theatre in downtown Naples through April 19. Directed by Paul Graffy, "Humble Boy" tells the story of a widowed mother and her theoretical astrophysicist son. Performances run Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, and can be purchased at www.naplesplayers.org, by phone at (239) 263-7990 or at The Naples Players Box Office, 701 5th Avenue South in downtown Naples.

>>Kenny G performs at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Tuesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Cabaret - Welcome to the "Cabaret" says the Emcee. The musical is presented by The Naples Players' through April 5. Performances are 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday nights, 2 p.m. Sundays, at the Sugden Community Theatre in Naples. For reservations, $35 adults and $10 students, call the Box Office: 263-7990.

Lucky stiff - Don't miss "Lucky Stiff" at The Schoolhouse Theater on Sanibel playing through March 29. Come see why something funny's going on. For tickets and information, contact the box office at 239-472-6862.

>>"Breaking Legs" is on stage at the Florida Repertory Theatre March 28 through April 20.

Camelot - Lou Diamond Phillips plays King Arthur in the national Broadway tour of Lerner and Loewe's "Camelot." The musical runs at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples through March 23. King Arthur's enchanted kingdom, Camelot, is a place where honor and chivalry reign. But can this idyllic land survive when Queen Guenevere falls in love with Sir Lancelot? The splendid, memorable score includes the romantic and haunting "If Ever I Would Leave You," the captivating "How to Handle a Woman" and the majestic "Camelot." For information or tickets call (239) 597-1900 or go to www.thephil.org

Lend Me a Tenor - The Off Broadway Palm Theatre presents the award-winning comedy "Lend Me a Tenor," playing March 20 through May 3. This clever and wildly entertaining farce mixes mistaken identities, competing opera stars and a symphony of slamming doors. Lend Me a Tenor is set in 1934 at the Cleveland Grand Opera on its biggest night in history. World famous tenor, Tito Merelli, known to his fans as "Il Stupendo" is scheduled to sing the lead in Otello, produced as a gala fundraiser that is set to raise $50,000 for the company. Before the star even leaves his hotel room, things begin to unravel. Tickets can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, by visiting www.Broadway- Palm.com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

This week's symphony

SWF Symphony - The Southwest Florida Symphony will pay homage to Italy at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 21 and 22 at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall when Maestro Michael Hall conducts "Jewels of Italy." Sun-drenched landscapes, vivacious people and a walk in the countryside are reflected in the pieces to be performed including Respighi's glorious "Pines of Rome." The repertoire also includes Verdi's "La Forza del Destino Overture," Mendelssohn's Symphony #4 "Italian" and Puccini's Crisantemi "Chrysanthemums" as well as the Pines of Rome. For tickets and information go to www.swflso.org. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

 

Naples Phil - Jeff Tyzik conducts the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra in A musical tribute to legendary film composer John Williams - plus your favorite film scores from other unforgettable Hollywood movies. Pops No. 3, Hooray for Hollywood plays at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts on Tuesday, March 25 through Saturday, March 29 at 8 p.m. and Sunday March 30 at 2 p.m. For information or tickets call (239) 597-1900 or online at www. thephil.org.

Thursday, March 20

Chris MacDonald - Celebrate the life and music of Elvis Presley, when tribute artist Chris MacDonald presents his Memories of Elvis in Concert at 8 p.m. at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. MacDonald is the only tribute artist hired by Elvis Presley Enterprises to perform at Graceland's Heartbreak Hotel for seven consecutive years. An energetic and experienced entertainer, he has also starred in the famous Legends in Concert stage productions in such cities as Branson, Mo. and Las Vegas. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling (239) 481-4849 or at www.bbmannpah.com.

Saturday, March 22

Ms. Courageous - The children's play "Ms. Courageous," presented by the Florida Repertory Theatre, is on stage at 11 a.m. at the Brick Bar in downtown Fort Myers. It's a collage of scenes from the lives of Elizabeth Blackwell and Marie Curie. Blackwell was the first woman in the United States to become a doctor with a medical degree, and Curie won two Nobel prizes for her work in physics and chemistry. Written by Joanna Halpert Kraus, Ms. Courageous explores the difficulties and challenges these two remarkable women faced and overcame. For tickets and more information, contact Florida Rep's box office at 239- 332- 4488. Please do not call the Brick Bar for ticket information.

Art - The Fort Myers Beach Art Association awards a scholarship and prizes each spring to young artists from the Cypress Lake high school. Their art is shown at the gallery in April and the awards are given at a reception for the artists. To help fund this program the art association holds the annual ART BAZAAR and the Famous Artist Raffle. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fort Myers Beach Art Association. For information call 463-3909 or go to www.fortmyersbeachart.com

Art - Space 39 in downtown Fort Myers hosts an opening reception for "Women's Work: Feminist Art from a Man's Perspective" from 6-10 p.m. The issues of the Feminist Art movement are re-examined and re-interpreted from the point of view of a single dad. Artist Jeffrey Scott Lewis uses acrylic paint and canvas to create collages that are inspired by the Quilts of Gees Bend. Using color, line and texture, the artist questions traditional gender-based roles and responsibilities. The abstract works are given titles that suggest the issues a stay at home mom faces in raising children, keeping a home and maintaining relationships.

Tuesday, March 25

Film - The annual Jewish Film Festival of Southwest Florida concludes with "Aviva My Love" at the Regal Bell Tower Cinemas in Fort Myers at 7 p.m. Tickets for individual films are $8 per person. Tickets are available by contacting the Federation at (239) 481-4449. They will also be available for an hour prior to show time at each of the scheduled screenings.

Kenny G - International superstar and Grammy Award-winner Kenny G plays at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7:30 p.m. He's acknowledged as the most successful instrumental recording artist in contemporary music history. An artist who effortlessly bridges the genres of pop, jazz and R&B with his distinctive and instantly recognizable style, Kenny G has distinguished himself as a master craftsman through his fourteen best-selling albums. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Band concert - For lively music to usher in the island's busiest season, BIG ARTS Community Chorus and BIG ARTS Band present Spring Concert 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in BIG ARTS Schein Performance Hall, 900 Dunlop Rd., Sanibel. Tickets are $5. The Band and Chorus focus on high-caliber, wellrehearsed concerts, and welcome the membership of anyone who shares these goals and the love of making music. For further information about this performance and other upcoming events and workshops at BIG ARTS, to purchase tickets, or to sign up for workshops, or become a member, stop by BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road Sanibel, call (239) 395-0900, e-mail info@BIGARTS.org, or log on to www.BIGARTS.org.

Wednesday, March 26

Irish Rovers - The world-famous Irish Rovers play at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7:30 p.m. Like the Unicorn, their legend lives on. For more than four decades, The Irish Rovers have charmed and entertained audiences around the world with their exciting stage shows. These international ambassadors of Irish music have maintained their timeless ability to deliver a rollicking, rousing performance of good cheer--one that will soon have you singing and clapping along. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah.com.

Ongoing events

Art - The 32nd Sanibel-Captiva Art League Juried Exhibit attracts artists from Charlotte County to Naples and is open to the 4,000 members of the Art Council of Southwest Florida. BIG ARTS Phillips Gallery will host the exhibit through March 31, at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. Realistic and abstract work in oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, ink and printmaking will be showcased. An artists' reception and awards presentation will be held from 5:30- 7 p.m. on Friday, March 7. The Sanibel-Captiva Art League Juried Exhibit is sponsored by Lily & Co. Jewelry. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call (239) 395-0900, email info@BIGARTS.org or log on to www.BIGARTS.org.

Art - The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery presents "New Century New Painting: Recent Acquisitions from the Martin Z. Margulies Collection." The exhibit runs through April 5. The work in this exhibition, produced since the turn of this century, speaks directly to some of the central issues painters are working with today. Imagery, gesture, form, abstraction, representation, pattern and materials are explored in this exhibit and reflect the broad range of ideas being developed by some of today's premier artists. On loan from the Martin Z. Margulies Collection in Miami Beach, the exhibit includes work by Claire Woods, Bram Bogart, Jonathan Meese, Tal R, Chris Ofili, Karin Davie, Ulf Puder, Oliver Dorfer and others. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For additional information call: 239-489-9313 or visit www.bobRauschenberggallery.com

History - One of the greatest anthropological finds in history, "LUCY: The Story of Human Origins" spans 50 million years in scope, from the early primates to the dawn of humanity. This exhibition, at the SWFLMuseum of History in downtown Fort Myers, represents a historical frame of reference for the human timeline which includes this comprehensive collection of exact replicas of skeletons, skulls, footprints, tools, and artifacts dramatically illustrates the story of the progression of humankind on Earth. As part of the exhibit, the museum store will feature anthropological items and gifts and the best-selling book by the man who discovered her; "Lucy: The Beginning of Humankind," by Donald Johanson and Maitland Edey. The exhibit runs through June 12. Call (239) 332-5955 or visit www.cityftmyers.com/museum.

Call to artists - The Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center in Naples, Florida, invites artists residing in the State of Florida to submit up to three entries of current work (created after January 1, 2006) in any media for ART ENCOUNTER 2008. The fine art and contemporary craft exhibition will be installed in the art center's six galleries from May 10 to June 29. At least $3,000 in cash awards will be presented to artists during the Members' Preview Reception and Awards Presentation on May 9. Works appearing in the exhibition as well as the award winners will be selected by guest juror Brian Dursum, director and chief curator of the Lowe Museum of Art at the University of Miami in Coral Gables. Online entries will be accepted at juriedartservices.com until March 16 with a non- refundable online application fee of $42 ($30 for current NAA members), and late entries (extra $20) will be accepted through March 30. NAA membership is not required. ART ENCOUNTER 2007 featured 68 works by 49 artists from 416 entries submitted by 155 artists. Entries came from as far away as Crystal River and Jupiter. For details, visit naplesart.org or call (239) 262-6517 x106.

Upcoming events

Liza - Liza Minnelli performs at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Friday, March 28 at 8 p.m. She began performing at the age of three and hasn't stopped since. She is an icon of stage and screen who has won virtually every award possible, including three Tonys, an Oscar, two Golden Globes and an Emmy. From 'Sally Bowles' in Caberet to 'Lucy Austero' in FOX's Arrested Development; her talent is enduring and her performances legendary. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling 481-4849 or online at www.bbmannpah. com.

Carbaret - "Cabaret," the hit Broadway musical hits the stage at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre April 10 - May 31. The love story of a young novelist and an eccentric singer captures the spirit of pre-war Germany. Wilkommen! The words beckon you for some lively entertainment by the magnetic Emcee who welcomes you to Berlin. "Come to the CABARET, old chum!" Ticket prices range from $25 to $52. Group discounts are available for parties of 20 or more. Tickets can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm. com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Breaking Legs - The worlds of the Mafia and the Theatre collide in an Italian restaurant with this expertly crafted comic masterpiece. "Breaking Legs" is on stage at the Florida Repertory Theatre March 28 through April 20. The meatballs hit the fan when a college professor turned playwright has his play produced by a Mafia don. Prepare yourselves for a madcap entrée of murder and menace with a heaping side of pasta and laughter. This is Theatre - Tony Soprano style! Performances are Tues. - Sat. at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Wed., Sun. and selected Saturdays. Florida Repertory Theatre is located on Bay Street between Jackson and Hendry in the Historic Arcade Theatre in the Fort Myers River District. Subscriptions and single tickets are available through the Box Office (239) 332-4488, or visit Florida Rep online at www.floridarep.org.

Art - The Society of Layerists in Multi Media Art Exhibit will open an exhibit called "Illumination" Friday, April 4 at 7 p.m. at the Syndey & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers. More than 50 artists from around the country will display their works at this exhibit that is open to the public. Art - Rising Stars Art Studio in Cape Coral presents a private Collection of Fine Art Prints by Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Egon Schiele, Helmut Newton, and Raoul Dufy. The exhibit will be on display Friday March 21 through April 21 on the promenade at Cape Harbour, 5781 Cape Harbour Drive, # 105, Cape Coral. For information call 541-9992.

42nd Street - The ultimate Broadway musical comedy, "42nd Street" will go on stage at Estero High School on Thursday, May 8 and Friday, May 9 at 7 p.m., in the Estero High School Auditorium. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students with an ID, and will be sold at the door. This landmark show, which is based on the classic 1933 movie musical of the same name, "42nd Street" is the story of a naive young actress named Peggy Sawyer (played by sophomore Anna Robbins) who arrives to audition for the new Julian Marsh (played by freshman Diego Rodriguez) extravaganza set to open on Broadway starring aging leading lady Dorothy Brock (played by senior Kelsey Thompson). A classic backstage story, "42nd Street" is a delightful throwback that the entire family will enjoy. For more information contact Estero High School 947- 9400 or the Drama Department at 273-7587.

Blues - The scenic Caloosahatchee River in historic downtown Fort Myers will be the backdrop for a music and food lovers' paradise with the River Blues Festival, April 6, from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., at Centennial Park. Admission is $5 for adults with children 10 and under admitted at no charge. Pets, umbrellas and coolers are not allowed. For more information, log onto www.riverandbluesfestival.com.

Fantasticks - "The Fantasticks" will be presented by Jodick Productions at the Foulds Theatre at the Alliance for the Arts on two weekends April 25 thru May 4. Jodick Productions is a volunteer based community theatre collaborative based in Cape Coral. This will be their second show of the year, following on the heels of their smash hit "Nunsense" which was performed in January at Cape Coral High School. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for seniors. Call 297-3077 for tickets.

Symphony - The Gulf Coast Symphony presents "Legendary Broadway Musicals" at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Saturday, March 29 at 7:30pm. Featuring Broadway Stars Melissa Errico and Sal Viviano, "Legend- ary Broadway Musicals" is a trip down memory lane, with music by some of Broadway's best composers & lyricist teams of all time including Rodgers & Hammerstein, Jerome Kern, Kander & Ebb, Frank Loesser, Lerner & Lowe. Enjoy hits songs from such classics as "My Fair Lady," "Chicago," "Gypsy," "Showboat," "Guys & Dolls," and the "Sound of Music." Single tickets are $26, $31, $37 and $51, with half-price tickets for children under 18. Tickets are available online at www.gulfcoastsymphony. org, by calling (239) 481- 4849, or in person at the Barbara B. Mann Box Office one hour prior to the concert. For more information email: info@gulfcoastsymphony.org

Jazz - The internationally acclaimed U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors Band will be offering a performance at Shell Point Retirement Community on Monday, April 14, at 7:15 pm. The U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors Band travels around the country, as well as across the world, playing a variety of musical selections. Many types of music will be included in this concert such as Big Band, Latin, Swing, contemporary, Dixieland, and other popular tunes. Many patriotic songs will be performed as well to show support for the many who serve our country on a daily basis. This group formed in 1969, and travels around the world to keep the will of American people behind our armed forces, as well as raise awareness for diplomatic efforts around the globe. This performance is a free event, but seating is limited and tickets must be reserved in advance. Due to the high demand for this concert, you may only reserve two tickets. Reserved tickets must be picked up in person from the Woodlands Service Desk at 14441 Woodsong Lane. Call (239) 454- 2067 for additional information.

Chamber music - The Chamber Music Society of Southwest Florida hosts the Juilliard-based Attacca String Quartet March 31 at the Alliance for the Arts' Foulds Theatre at 7:30 p.m. All tickets are $20. The 2006 Winner of the Alice Coleman Grand Prize, the Attacca String Quartet was a finalist at the International Banff String Quartet Competition in Canada in August. It was also a finalist in the International Chesapeake Chamber Competition. The quartet made its Carnegie Hall debut this season with its mentors the Juilliard String Quartet. They have also appeared with pianist Jerome Lowenthal, pianist Claude Frank, violinist Arnold Steinhardt and the Tokyo String Quartet. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Chamber Music Society website at www.chambersociety.org.